DPA Agenda Full in San Antonio

April 2008By Thomas Ewing

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

The AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition is the single greatest exercise in professional development that we have as energy geoscientists. We go to conventions to meet and network; to hear the latest in research; to see case histories of using tools and concepts to find and produce oil and gas; and to take counsel on the future of our society and our profession.

DPA plays a substantial role in all this. Although we don’t host technical sessions, we have special sessions – forums – as well as short courses and our luncheon. All of these events tie directly into our professional practice and behavior, and the external factors of government policy and economic choices that affect our careers.

In San Antonio, we are sponsoring an excellent two-hour ethics course with David Abbott. His courses always are worth attending, full of case studies and real ethical problems from his inexhaustible files. We also are co-sponsoring a course on career development for new and mature geoscientists.

♦ Our headliner forum is on Tuesday morning: “Energy Resources, Reserves and the Future Workforce: Policy and Labor in the Geosciences.” The session is co-chaired by general convention chair (and PTTC chair) Gene Ames, and by me.

Here’s who you can hear at this event:

♦ Larry Chorn, chief economist at Platts, speaking on global energy competition, and what it might take to prosper.

♦ Rod Nelson, Schlumberger, summarizing the National Petroleum Council study on energy resources.

♦ David Curtiss, director of AAPG’s GEO-DC office, offering the view from Washington on impacts of the NPC study and on current initiatives in work force development.

♦ Dan Tearpock, Subsurface Consultants and chair of the DPA Committee on Reserves Training, speaking on the SEC’s request for changes in reserves standards, and the need for professional training of reserves evaluators.

♦ Rick Deery, U.S. House of Representatives Western Caucus, speaking on the political dimensions of training our future geoscience work force (especially EMSRA, the “Energy and Mineral Schools Reinvestment Act”).

♦ Pat Leahy, American Geological Institute, speaking on investments in the geoscience work force, specifically addressing the supply side.

You need to hear all of these people, and ask them hard questions. Please come and learn about the current activity in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, and our need to develop our future work force!

NOTE: These speakers are not listed in the registration brochure. For more information look for signs and posters at the convention, or check the Web site!

At this DPA forum, you can hear from some of the “greats” of the exploration world – people such as Marlan Downey, Bob Gunn, Alfredo Guzman, Dudley Hughes, Herbert Hunt and Clayton Williams – as they share some of their philosophy of exploration, the lessons they have learned and other insights.

Come learn about “the art of exploration!”

In fact, be sure to come to the convention and find many ways to enjoy San Antonio and South Texas.

Come to our DPA events, and learn how to develop as a professional geoscientist.

And come by the DPA booth, and learn how to join our community of professionals.

Division Column-DPA

By THOMAS E. EWING DPA President.

Division Column-DPA

The Division of Professional Affairs (DPA), a division of AAPG, seeks to promote professionalism and ethical standards, provide a means for professional certification of petroleum geologists, coal geologists, and petroleum geophysicists, assist in career planning, and improve the professional well-being of AAPG members. For more information about the DPA and its activities, visit the DPA website.